Nicholls’ interim president named

Larry Howell, who has served as the executive vice president since December 2011, will assume the president's duties until the university finds a replacement for President Stephen Hulbert.

Sydni DunnStaff Writer

Published: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 9:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 8:14 a.m.

Larry Howell, executive vice president at Nicholls State University, will lead the school into the new academic year as its interim president and stay in that role until a new president is hired.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, which oversees Nicholls, approved Howell's appointment Tuesday at its regular monthly meeting. Howell was the only nominee for the post.

Howell, who has served as the executive vice president since December 2011, will assume the president's duties until the university finds a replacement for President Stephen Hulbert.

Hulbert, who has been president for the last decade, announced his retirement in April. It becomes effective Aug. 1, the same day Howell's appointment will begin.

The university has contracted R.H. Perry and Associates, a higher education consulting firm, to conduct the search for its next president, said UL System President Sandra Woodley.

The search committee has a tentative timeline in place, Woodley said, with Aug. 1 as the deadline for nominations and applications. The search committee wants to hold on-campus interviews the week of Aug. 26 and Board of Supervisors interviews in early September.

Nicholls should have a new president by October, Woodley said.

Howell, who does not intend to apply for the position, said he is prepared to serve for as long as it takes to find the next president.

“I embrace this opportunity to serve the Nicholls community," Howell said. "It is very humbling and a little frightening,"

There will be many responsibilities, he said, as he will be balancing his role as interim president and executive vice president.

"I'll just have to use all four of my hands," he joked.

Howell, an alumnus of Nicholls and employee of the university since 1975, has served as the university's director of institutional research, assistant vice president for academic affairs, interim vice president for academic affairs, associate provost and interim executive vice president. He holds the rank of associate professor of computer science.

<p>Larry Howell, executive vice president at Nicholls State University, will lead the school into the new academic year as its interim president and stay in that role until a new president is hired.</p><p>The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, which oversees Nicholls, approved Howell's appointment Tuesday at its regular monthly meeting. Howell was the only nominee for the post.</p><p>Howell, who has served as the executive vice president since December 2011, will assume the president's duties until the university finds a replacement for President Stephen Hulbert.</p><p>Hulbert, who has been president for the last decade, announced his retirement in April. It becomes effective Aug. 1, the same day Howell's appointment will begin.</p><p>The university has contracted R.H. Perry and Associates, a higher education consulting firm, to conduct the search for its next president, said UL System President Sandra Woodley. </p><p>The search committee has a tentative timeline in place, Woodley said, with Aug. 1 as the deadline for nominations and applications. The search committee wants to hold on-campus interviews the week of Aug. 26 and Board of Supervisors interviews in early September.</p><p>Nicholls should have a new president by October, Woodley said.</p><p>Howell, who does not intend to apply for the position, said he is prepared to serve for as long as it takes to find the next president.</p><p>“I embrace this opportunity to serve the Nicholls community," Howell said. "It is very humbling and a little frightening,"</p><p>There will be many responsibilities, he said, as he will be balancing his role as interim president and executive vice president.</p><p>"I'll just have to use all four of my hands," he joked.</p><p>Howell, an alumnus of Nicholls and employee of the university since 1975, has served as the university's director of institutional research, assistant vice president for academic affairs, interim vice president for academic affairs, associate provost and interim executive vice president. He holds the rank of associate professor of computer science.</p>